Pilot Mental Health Resources and Support

Mental Health Resources Table of Contents

1. National Helplines (24/7)
2. Depression Specific Helplines
3. Anxiety Helplines
4. Substance Use Disorders
5. Family Helpline
6. Helplines for Children and Young People
7. Domestic Violence
8. Pilot Mental Health Advocates

Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of resources. There are many other organizations and programs that offer mental health support and services.

Additionally:

• If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate assistance, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
• Many insurance companies cover mental health treatment. Contact your insurance provider to learn about your coverage options.

These pilot mental health resources offer various forms of support, including crisis intervention, counseling, referrals to treatment services, and educational resources, catering to individuals and families dealing with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and instances of violence or abuse.

National Helplines (24/7)

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) | Chat: 988lifeline.org If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. A nationwide network of crisis centers providing free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Free and confidential, 24/7.
• Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" to 741741 -Provides free, 24/7 support via text message to those in crisis.
• SAMHSA National Helpline (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) - Confidential, free, 24/7 treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental health and/or substance use disorders.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (1-800-950-6264) - Provides information, referrals, and support to people living with a mental health condition, their families, and caregivers, Monday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm ET.

Depression-Specific Helplines

• Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" to 741741 - Offers free, 24/7 support via text message to individuals experiencing depression or any other type of crisis.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Helpline: 1-800-826-3632 - Provides peer support, resources, and information for individuals living with depression and bipolar disorder, available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 2 pm ET.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text "HelpLine" to 62640 - Support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness, available Monday through Friday, 10 am to 10 pm ET.
• ALPA Union Pilot Peer Support (PPS): For pilots in the Air Line Pilots Association, a confidential peer network is available for support.
• Listenr.io: Seek support with complete peace of mind. Listenr sessions do not have to be reported to the FAA Medical Application Form. $85 for 1-hour session.
• Airline Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Many airlines offer confidential EAPs that provide pilots with access to mental health professionals, counseling services, and other resources. Check with your airline.

Anxiety Helplines

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): 1-240-485-1001 - Provides information, resources, and support for individuals living with anxiety disorders, available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm ET.
• Listenr.io: Seek support with complete peace of mind. Listenr sessions do not have to be reported to the FAA Medical Application Form. $85 for 1-hour session.

Substance Use Disorders

• HIMS Human Intervention Motivational Study: Contact an expert aeromedical physician at Aviation Medicine Advisory Service (720) 857-6117, Monday-Friday 0830-1600 MT, or reach out to your union HIMS representative.
• SAMHSA National Helpline (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) - Offers free, confidential assistance in finding treatment referrals for substance use disorders, available 24/7.
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): 1-212-870-3400 - Provides support and resources for individuals recovering from alcohol addiction, with local meetings available nationwide.
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA): 1-818-773-9999 - Offers support and resources for individuals recovering from drug addiction, with local and virtual meetings available nationwide.

Family Support

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text "HelpLine" to 62640 - Provides information, referrals, and support to families and caregivers of individuals living with mental health conditions, available Monday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm ET.
• Families for Depression Awareness: 1-781-890-0220 - Offers education, training, and support to families dealing with depression or bipolar disorder.
• Listenr.io: Seek support with complete peace of mind. Listenr sessions do not have to be reported to the FAA Medical Application Form. $85 for 1-hour session.

Helplines for Children and Young People

• National Runaway Safeline: Call or Text 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) - Provides support and resources for runaway and homeless youth, available 24/7.
• Teen Line: Call 1-800-852-8336 or Text "TEEN" to 839863 - Offers support and resources to teenagers facing various issues, available 6 pm to 10 pm PST.
• The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth): 1-866-488-7386 - Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ young people, available 24/7.

Family Violence

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) - Offers crisis intervention, safety planning, and referrals for individuals affected by domestic violence, available 24/7.
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673) - Provides support and resources to survivors of sexual assault or abuse, available 24/7.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) | Chat: 988lifeline.org - Free and confidential 24/7 support for people in distress or crisis.
• SAMHSA National Helpline (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) - Information on mental health and substance abuse treatment services, 24/7.
• Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" to 741741 - Connect with a crisis counselor via text message, 24/7.

Pilot Mental Health Advocates

These individuals and organizations are dedicated to promoting mental health and wellness within the aviation community. They offer resources, support, and advocacy for pilots facing mental health challenges, stress, and other issues related to their profession.

These are wonderful allies to reach out to for more pilot mental health resources and support. Their contributions to change in the aeromedical system are gifts to us all!

1. Capt. Reyné O'Shaughnessy - Piloting2WellBeing.com
2. Emma Laczko and Madolyn Miller of The Pilot’s Pandemic Podcast | IG @thepilotspandemic
3. Brian Bomhoff of Pilot Mental Health Campaign
4. New Zealand’s Peer Assistance Network
5. Capt. Herwin Bongers
6. Jillian Bourdage, CFII
7. Zack Friedman, PMHC
8. Jennifer Homendy, NTSB Chair
9. Austen Jarboe

Help is available, and early support and/or treatment is essential

All of us go through stressors in our lives, some more than others. As pilots and individuals in the aviation industry, we can face even greater stress than our peers. Seeking help early through the pilot mental health resources above is shown to save lives. Please reach out to these organizations if you are struggling.